Cranston City Council Regular Meeting – September 22, 2025

The Cranston City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, September 22, 2025. The agenda included approval of minutes, public acknowledgments, a public hearing, election of a council vice president, committee reports with several votes, a discussion on speeding on Hope Road, appointments, and routine business.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes: The council approved a block of six minutes items and separately approved the September 11, 2025 special council meeting minutes as amended (correcting a scrivener's error from 8:20 to 6:20 PM). All votes were unanimous.
• Committee reports: The council unanimously approved recommendations from the Claims, Safety Service, and Finance committees (detailed under Key Outcomes).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Robert Murray, attorney at 21 Garden City Drive, Cranston, briefly addressed the council, noting a positive recent hearing before the Ordinance Committee on a zoning matter. He offered to answer questions but made no formal presentation.

Discussion Items

• Election of Council Vice President: Councilwoman Kristen Heroyan was nominated and elected Vice President for the term ending January 4, 2027. The vote was 8–0–1 (Heroyan abstained).
• Committee Reports:
  • Claims Committee (Council President Wall): Met September 8, 2025; paid claims report provided.
  • Safety Service Committee (Council Vice President Heroyan): Reported on a Class V BV liquor license for Breology LLC at 160 Atwood Avenue. The council approved the license 9–0.
  • Finance Committee (Council President Wall): Recommended two resolutions – real estate tax abatements and motor vehicle tax abatements, both requested by the tax assessor and passed on September 8. Approved unanimously.
  • Public Works Committee (Councilwoman Graziano): Met September 11; reported discussions about rats. No action taken.
  • Ordinance Committee (Councilman Anduhar): Reported on Ordinance 07-2506 (zone change for 1746 Cranston Street). Councilwoman Graziano noted stormwater management expectations. The council approved the zone change unanimously.
• Council President Communications: Council Vice President Heroyan announced that Councilwoman Graziano has been selected as Majority Leader for the 2025–2026 term. Council President Wall indicated upcoming committee assignment changes.
• Council Member Communications: Councilman Ritz raised the issue of speeding on Hope Road. He cited a traffic study showing 62% of monitored vehicles exceeded 35 mph (10 mph over the 25 mph limit), with an average speed of 37 mph. Proposed measures included radar speed signs, road narrowing (later deemed unfeasible by Director Maretti), raising the speed limit to 40 mph (discussed as a possibly joking suggestion), and increased enforcement. Director Maretti outlined plans to install radar speed signs, add school zone stencils, and increase police vigilance. Several council members expressed concerns about raising speed limits near schools and called for further study. No formal vote was taken.
• Withdrawal of Ordinance: Councilman Trafficanti withdrew Ordinance 09-25-06, explaining he is working with residents and the police chief to resolve the underlying issue without legislation.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes of previous meetings approved as a block and as amended (unanimous).
• Kristen Heroyan elected Council Vice President (8–0–1).
• Class V BV liquor license for Breology LLC at 160 Atwood Avenue approved (9–0).
• Real estate tax abatements and motor vehicle tax abatements approved (unanimous).
• Zone change for 1746 Cranston Street (Ordinance 07-2506) approved (unanimous).
• Appointment of Sarah Poris to the Cranston Art Commission (three-year term ending June 24, 2028) approved (unanimous). The reappointment of David W. Kuwait to the Historical Cemeteries Commission was noted as informational without a vote.
• The council received the resignation of Jesse Dooley from the Board of Contracts and Purchase (effective August 25, 2025) and Amelia Vizieri from the Juvenile Hearing Board (effective September 16, 2025).

The meeting adjourned after all business was completed.